First post here…
I’ve got a lot of 4/4 european beech in my garage and I’d like to build an outdoor table and benches with some of it. It’s my understanding that pro shops use beech now and then, but what’s the best way to finish it for trouble free outdoor use?
I live in the Seattle area, and our annual rainfall could cause problems. Any thoughts?
Replies
start building hand planes or work benches with the beech and buy red cedar for the furniture
Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
Goalieump,
I really wouldn't do that if I were you. Beech is notoriously unstable, and quickly deteriourates outside. As cherryjohn said, make a workbenck or planes of it and use white oak, cedar, cypress, black locust,etc for outside stuff.
Steve
There are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Beech is really unsuitable for outdoor use. It reacts severely to humidity changes, and also gets nasty black mildew very easily. Use it for something else.
David Ring
http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e
I couldn't agree more with David.
use, white oak, cedar, mahogany, teak or Iroko.
find a better use for the beach. Its good for steam bending or workbenches, hand planes and the like Not out doors!
ChaimMake your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !
I will do everything within reason to never use beech for any project ever again. It did not "work" very well for me, sanding, gluing, everything was just plain harder to do to get good results for me. Like these other knotheads say, it moves all over the place as well.
May the force be with you,
Do you have any medication for after? It may help
Regardless the wood, there's no trouble free finish for outdoors. In your case, the rain may be your friend, because sun is the real enemy of an outdoor finish. That said, based on my experience, Beech won't last long in a damp environment where rot can flourish. Use one of the other woods the other folks recommended. If you choose varnish, expect to recoat at least annually. Oils will require a scrub and recoat maybe every six months. Your best bet is to cover the furniture when it's not in use.
Oh yeah, paint will hold up better than a clear finish, but I'm guessing that's not the look you're after.
Paint or stain is the best way to go for outdoor projects.
Zabo2
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